Smallholder families of the Aymara indigenous group are behind the production of this delicious coffee. They grouped in a small cooperative to have better access to the coffee market. The name “Tunki” refers to the village where they grow coffee: Tunkimayo. Tunki is part of the CECOVASA umbrella cooperative, formed in 1970, which unites 10 small cooperatives in the regions of Puno and Cuzco. In total, CECOVASA represents 5049 farming families. The acronym stands for Central de Cooperativas Agrarias Cafetaleras de los Valles de Sandi.

Grouping in a strong local cooperative has many benefits for its members. It allows a better access to the international coffee market for commercialization of their coffee, easier certification, lower costs for farm supplies and access to services, to name a few. CECOVASA enables the producers to consolidate their volume and export to international markets directly, instead of going through a third party. This involves higher returns to the group and more control over what happens to the beans.